For the release of BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry decided to go ahead and offer something special to developers in order to help get them started with developing for the platform. The initial device, the BlackBerry Dev Alpha A was announced on May 1st, 2012 in Orlando and since then has spawned several different versions including the BlackBerry Dev Alpha B as well as the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C which takes on the full QWERTY form factor. In the beginning, the BlackBerry Dev Alpha ran a stripped down version of BlackBerry 10 but as the OS evolved it was updated to offer fully running and almost fully functional versions of the BlackBerry 10 OS to support developers in creating and testing applications for the BlackBerry 10 platform.

In The Store

You are here

News & Rumors
| 13 CommentsPress Release: RIM Launches BlackBerry 10 Platform
Today during BlackBerry World, RIM has made some announcements regarding the BlackBerry 10 platform. They have released the initial version of the developer toolkit for native and HTML5 development. This will certainly be a boost to developers who can now design applications in anticipation of...

Timeline Beta

Aug 14, 2013
BlackBerry 10.2.0.1157 now available for developers

44 Comments

Peek

Along with the Gold BlackBerry 10.2 SDK downloads, BlackBerry has also updated the BlackBerry Dev Alpha OS autoloaders. When updated, Dev Alpha devices will be running OS 10.2.0.1157. The links have actually been live for the past few days but now, they're fully official. Keep in mind, these downloads are NOT full builds and are specifically meant for developers. In other words, you're not going to want to use these as 'daily drivers' on your device.

To help prepare for the next wave of mobile users, qualified developers at BlackBerry Jam Asia could receive a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C device at the conference! The BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C is a testing device for developers that can be used to help adjust, debug and test BlackBerry 10 apps for BlackBerry 10 QWERTY smartphones, such as the BlackBerry Q10 smartphone, as well as the new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone.

Entry is easy enough, just register for the event as a developer, fill out the requested information and attend the event. BlackBerry will handle the eligibility part but as long as you nor your company have previously received a Dev Alpha device at a BlackBerry event or directly from BlackBerry, your chances of qualifying are pretty good.

May 23, 2013
BlackBerry Dev Alpha devices will stay up and running after all

33 Comments

Peek

When the BlackBerry Dev Alpha devices were given out, developers were told that at some point the devices would be deactivated and essentially rendered useless (or bricked in geek terms). With plenty of developers eligible to trade in their Dev Alpha for a limited edition BlackBerry Z10 however, this didn't seem like such a big deal.

For anyone that hasn't received a BlackBerry Z10 or just wants to hold onto their Dev Alpha for testing purposes there is good news today. As it turns out, the devices will continue to work past the original deactivation date of June 30th.

The BlackBerry Dev Alpha C was unveiled during yesterday's keynote presentation at BlackBerry Jam Europe. Our hands on discovered a pretty solid device, with an excellent physical keyboard as you'd expect from a BlackBerry device.

The response to the Dev Alpha C in Amsterdam has been phenomenal, with the testing booths packed with eager developers wanting to get their hands on one to start building great apps for the BlackBerry Q10.

But, we know there's sure to be a host of developers who qualify to get a Dev Alpha C that couldn't make the trip to Amsterdam. So, to follow up on our initial hands on, here's a few snaps of the device to tide you over until it arrives.

In years past we've seen pre-release devices show up on eBay weeks before an official launch. Some of them may or may not have shown up at a certain BlackBerry lover's doorstep - but that's old news. While I've been anxiously searching auction sites for an early BlackBerry 10 device (there are none to be found so don't bother) it turns out that there are a few BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha units available -- if you have the funds.

With well over 5,000 BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha devices out there, C2 Development has opened the doors to beta testing on their new app called Kaxi. If you're not familar with Kaxi, it's an app that aims to make finding taxis in your local area whether you are in the UK or USA, super simple:

Simply tap "find local taxis" and Kaxi will search for the nearest taxi companies to you and display their name and number. You can also search by a town or city and Kaxi will display all the taxi companies in the given area.

Like any beta that you sign up for, you'll be given early access to app before it hits BlackBerry App World and as such be able to help C2 Development through the Kaxi BETA Portal which may be used to submit feedback and bug reports.

Right now, the UK version is completed and the US version is in bugfixing stages and a Canadian version is being considered. Have a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha and interested in helping out? You can sign up for the beta via the C2 Development site link below.

With the previous leaked photos of the BlackBerry 10 Alpha Developer device having already been shown off and confirmed by Research In Motion, we're now seeing a new batch of images fresh from the CrackBerry tip line. They don't show off much more than the previous leak but, they're of higher quality and you do certainly get a better look at the device. We're not seeing any signs of the OS it is running nor are we seeing the display turned on, but alas, we're not that far off now before it'll be officially unveiled this week at BlackBerry Jam and BlackBerry World. Enjoy the pics and stay tuned for lots more from BlackBerry World 2012!

PS. REMEMBER FOLKS... this is a developer device, for developers to test out their BlackBerry 10 apps. This isn't what the first BlackBerry 10 phone will look like, so don't start making comments on it as if it were such. Thanks :)

All BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha

Along with the Gold BlackBerry 10.2 SDK downloads, BlackBerry has also updated the BlackBerry Dev Alpha OS autoloaders. When updated, Dev Alpha devices will be running OS 10.2.0.1157. The links have actually been live for the past few days but now, they're fully official. Keep in mind, these downloads are NOT full builds and are specifically meant for developers. In other words, you're not going...

BlackBerry Jam Asia 2013 is set to take place in Hong Kong on September 26-27 and just like all Jam events before it, if you're a developer attending the event you can qualify to get your own free BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C device just for attending:
To help prepare for the next wave of mobile users, qualified developers at BlackBerry Jam Asia could receive a BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha C device at...

When the BlackBerry Dev Alpha devices were given out, developers were told that at some point the devices would be deactivated and essentially rendered useless (or bricked in geek terms). With plenty of developers eligible to trade in their Dev Alpha for a limited edition BlackBerry Z10 however, this didn't seem like such a big deal.
For anyone that hasn't received a BlackBerry Z10 or just wants...

The BlackBerry Dev Alpha C was unveiled during yesterday's keynote presentation at BlackBerry Jam Europe. Our hands on discovered a pretty solid device, with an excellent physical keyboard as you'd expect from a BlackBerry device.
The response to the Dev Alpha C in Amsterdam has been phenomenal, with the testing booths packed with eager developers wanting to get their hands on one to start...

During the keynote presentation this morning at BlackBerry Jam Europe in Amsterdam, Alec Saunders unveiled the BlackBerry Dev Alpha C device. Geared at developing for the forthcoming BlackBerry Q10, the Dev Alpha C is of course the first Dev Alpha with the full, physical keyboard.
OK, it's only a developer device, so it doesn't share the same good looks as the Q10, but the hardware is...

In years past we've seen pre-release devices show up on eBay weeks before an official launch. Some of them may or may not have shown up at a certain BlackBerry lover's doorstep - but that's old news. While I've been anxiously searching auction sites for an early BlackBerry 10 device (there are none to be found so don't bother) it turns out that there are a few BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha units...

Along for the ride in the latest BlackBerry Dev Alpha update was some new wallpapers. In total, there are 21 wallpapers including the original that was placed on the Dev Alpha available for download.We're working on getting them uploaded for different devices to the CrackBerry wallpaper gallery but if you're looking to resize them yourself, you can find the download link below. Make sure you...

With well over 5,000 BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha devices out there, C2 Development has opened the doors to beta testing on their new app called Kaxi. If you're not familar with Kaxi, it's an app that aims to make finding taxis in your local area whether you are in the UK or USA, super simple:
Simply tap "find local taxis" and Kaxi will search for the nearest taxi companies to you and display...

Here it is CrackBerry Podcast fans... our BlackBerry World 2012 Super Podcast! There's 90 minutes of BlackBerry goodness to listen to right here, with Adam, Bla1ze, Umi and myself covering all of the events of the last three days. The BlackBerry 10 preview. The keynote session. The BlackBerry 10 Alpha Device. BlackBerry Jam.
The awesome press session with RIM CEO Thorsten Heins. We cover it...

With the previous leaked photos of the BlackBerry 10 Alpha Developer device having already been shown off and confirmed by Research In Motion, we're now seeing a new batch of images fresh from the CrackBerry tip line. They don't show off much more than the previous leak but, they're of higher quality and you do certainly get a better look at the device. We're not seeing any signs of the OS it...

CrackBerry is in no way Affiliated with BlackBerry. We take pride in our unbiased content, however do occasionally receive free products from vendors that we review or discuss. For more info click here.